Attractions and Places To See around Aylesbeare - Top 20

The most significant natural attraction is the RSPB Aylesbeare Common, part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. This vast lowland heathland is renowned for its diverse flora, including heather and bog asphodel, and is a prime spot for birdwatching, with species like Dartford warblers and nightjars. It also boasts a large variety of butterflies and dragonflies, including the rare southern damselfly. You can also explore the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, known for excellent birdwatching opportunities, especially for wintering wildfowl and waders.

Yes, Aylesbeare has a rich history. The oldest building in the parish is the 13th-century Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On Aylesbeare Common, you can find prehistoric tumuli, ancient burial mounds that indicate a long human presence in the area. Further afield, the Exeter Ship Canal, first built in the 1560s, is a historical engineering marvel and the first canal in Britain since Roman times. The Countess Wear Bridges also hold historical significance, having been used for military training prior to the D-Day landings.

Aylesbeare Common offers peaceful walks along firm paths and is integrated into the East Devon Way, providing longer hiking opportunities. For more structured routes, you can find various hiking trails around Aylesbeare, including easy loops like 'Aylesbeare Common loop from Colaton Raleigh' (5.1 km) and moderate options such as 'Aylesbeare Common – Little Boardwalk loop from Newton Poppleford and Harpford' (7.9 km). You can explore more hiking routes in the Hiking around Aylesbeare guide.

Many attractions around Aylesbeare are suitable for families. The Exe Estuary Trail is a mainly flat cycle route and walkway, perfect for family bike rides or strolls. The Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk is particularly well-surfaced and offers spectacular views. The Otter Estuary Nature Reserve provides an engaging experience for children interested in wildlife and birdwatching. The Exeter Ship Canal is also popular for leisure activities like walking and cycling with children.

Aylesbeare Common is suitable for cycling on designated public bridleways. The wider area boasts excellent cycling opportunities, notably the Exe Estuary Trail, a 36-km mainly flat route linking Exmouth, Exeter, and Dawlish. This trail includes the well-surfaced Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk, offering spectacular estuary views. For road cycling, routes like 'Exe Marsh Flats – Country Lanes to Lympstone loop' (49.5 km) are available. You can find more cycling options in the Road Cycling Routes around Aylesbeare guide.

Yes, the Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk is specifically noted as wheelchair accessible. It is well-surfaced and offers spectacular views, making it suitable for those using wheelchairs or strollers. Many sections of the broader Exe Estuary Trail are also mainly flat and well-surfaced, providing accessible options for enjoying the scenery.

Summer months are ideal for birdwatching on Aylesbeare Common, as it's home to strong populations of Dartford warblers and nightjars. Autumn is excellent for spotting hobbies hunting dragonflies. In winter, the common attracts visiting thrushes like redwings and fieldfares, as well as snipe. The diverse flora and fauna can be enjoyed throughout the warmer months, with butterflies and dragonflies particularly active.

The Nightjar Pub, formerly known as The Aylesbeare Inn, is a redeveloped village pub with a history spanning approximately 400 years. It's located within Aylesbeare village and offers a convenient spot for refreshments after exploring the common.

Aylesbeare Common holds considerable geological significance, resting on the Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds. These formations consist of red, silty sands and quartzite gravels, dating back approximately 225 million years. These distinctive 'popples' (pebbles) were historically used in local construction, and you can observe them throughout the common.

Visitors particularly appreciate the scenic views and well-maintained paths. For instance, the Exe Estuary Trail is praised for being a 'lovely bit of traffic-free path' that is 'well surfaced and ideal for any type of bike as well as walkers and runners.' The Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk is highlighted for its 'spectacular views of the Estuary.' The Exeter Ship Canal is enjoyed for its leisure activities and scenic views of the river and countryside.

Yes, there are mountain biking trails in the wider area. Moderate routes include 'Mutters Moor – The Byes Riverside Walk loop' (36.3 km) and 'Wooden Boardwalk Cycle Path – View of the River Exe loop' (41.5 km). For more challenging rides, consider 'Hawkerland Bridleway – East Devon Way loop' (86.6 km). You can find more details on these and other trails in the MTB Trails around Aylesbeare guide.

Aylesbeare Common is suitable for dog walking on designated public footpaths and bridleways, offering a great space for pets to enjoy the outdoors. When visiting nature reserves like the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, it's always best to keep dogs on a lead to protect the local wildlife, especially ground-nesting birds and waders.